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The HVAC unit in this home is ancient. Must be replaced, rather sooner than later. Have some contractors coming over to give me specs and pricing.

First one comes last night. Until all is said and done he wants to sell me a $12K unit....go ahead, snicker now.

This is obviously a rip-off.

I currently have gas heat. I would love to get gas totally out of my house (yes, one of the few). I have a bi-level house, and am going to convert the downstairs into about 200-300 sq ft of living space (heated and a/c...the rest will just be laundry room, workshop, storage, garage). The upstairs is approx. 1100 feet. I do have direct sunlight all throughout the day on one side of the house.

I know those are real basic. But, what actual size unit do I need. And what is the normal cost. I don't want the caddy of all units. I want quality and efficiency, but cost is still important. $12k is extremely high for a house this big.

Welcome! Have some fun with this if you want to and spend a little money and do a load calculation yourself so that you may answer your own question about the size of the system.

Above press the button for a rather easy load caculation program.

Then, do what everyone else does. Get a least three written estimates and start comparing. The installation company and their history of happy customers are more important then the name of the equipment they install.

Through this process you will become self educated and have a very good chance of making a good decision and finding an installation company that you trust.

Good luck

"The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers it can bribe the public with the public's own money.
- Alexis﻿ de Toqueville, 1835

That being said, what are you getting for 12K. If you are taking out gas then I assume you are putting in oil. Are we talking new flue? Oil tank? You mentioned upstair living and down stairs working. Are we talking about zoning?

Like Delta T said. Find out what you really need and want as far as a comfort level. You might be surprised that the 12k guy is giving you a deal. We have options in this trade like you wouldn't believe. That's why I wouldn't bash this contractor because I don't know what he has included.

I have done residences for more that 4x what you where quoted. One house I did was for 168 thousand. This guy was a big TV producer however.

No, on the oil. I am going to all electric. Yes, we are talking about zoning. I want to have 2 separate thermostats for each level. The downstairs is totally unfinished, so running the new ducts, wires, etc, will be easy. Also, the downstairs will be half underground (good insulation).

I can see the TV producer guy wanting special stuff (as I've worked in TV). I just want a basic energy efficient unit for a house. I have an average sized house.

The contractor insists I need a 2 ton unti, a $1000 filter and an ionic air cleaner because I have 4 dogs. He says that I must have a variable speed blower and a 2-speed cooling cabability.

Guys, once again, I am a single young woman with an average salary. $12K is entirely too much for me. I am very uncomfortable with that.

Be safe ,Not blowed up.............

Originally posted by ogdog13 Sorry on the price.

No, on the oil. I am going to all electric. Yes, we are talking about zoning. I want to have 2 separate thermostats for each level. The downstairs is totally unfinished, so running the new ducts, wires, etc, will be easy. Also, the downstairs will be half underground (good insulation).

I can see the TV producer guy wanting special stuff (as I've worked in TV). I just want a basic energy efficient unit for a house. I have an average sized house.

The contractor insists I need a 2 ton unti, a $1000 filter and an ionic air cleaner because I have 4 dogs. He says that I must have a variable speed blower and a 2-speed cooling cabability.

Guys, once again, I am a single young woman with an average salary. $12K is entirely too much for me. I am very uncomfortable with that.

Get another quote from a couple of other company's..I would ask that they do some load calculation on the home and come up with some numbers..12K----LOL
Where are you located? There is a contractor's by state at the top of this page.. Do a little homework and save yourself some $$$..

12 grand seems quite high for what your describing but as Benncool explained we don't know what he is offering.

As far as you explaining about the two stage condensing unit and variable speed blower on the furnace section, that is correct if your wanting a zoned system. It's one of the two ways to control static pressure. The other way is called constant volume with bypass. And for this as well, possibly reconfiguring ducting is in his mind as well. What did he say??

Out of curiosity, and possibly one reason for the high price is that, is your home electrically in compliance now to offer you electric heat with out an upgrade of your existing electric.

I find it always so fascinating that it's always about the amount of something. If he floored you with the 12 grand, why didn't you then ask for the details as well? Instead you thought rip off. What caused you to immediately go in your head "rip off".

With out details, with out any more information than you have provided, I am thinking in my head. Cheap woman wanting a break.